Sexual diseases on the rise during the pandemic

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise for the seventh year in a row, said Dr. Leandro Mena, director of the CDC’s division of STD prevention. This stems from a reduction in public health funding, affecting health facilities’ ability to provide screening, treatment and prevention services.

Surveillance on STDs 2020, published on April 12, shows that by the end of 2020, the number of gonorrhea, primary and secondary syphilis infections increased by 10% and 7% respectively compared to 2019. Syphilis in Neonatal syphilis, also known as congenital syphilis, is up 15% from 2019 and 235% from 2016. Cases of congenital syphilis continue to increase in 2021.

Chlamydia accounts for the largest proportion of reported sexually transmitted infections. In the first half of 2020, the number of cases tends to decrease. But according to experts, this is due to a lack of screening conditions, not the number of new cases actually decreasing.

The disease can cause serious or even permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system, making it difficult or impossible for her to become pregnant in the future. Chlamydia also causes ectopic pregnancy in some cases.

“Health care providers play an important role in eliminating stigma, by integrating the message of STD prevention into their daily activities, creating a welcoming environment for all,” said Dr. Mena says and recommends that people get tested for STDs every year.

David Rosenthal, Medical Director of the Child and Adolescent HIV Center at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New York, acknowledges the growing number of STD infections. According to him, the important thing to do now is to step up the testing and screening system again because when the disease is detected, then measures to prevent the spread can be taken into account.

Thuc Linh (According to Medical Express)